Dhaka: A special court on Thursday deferred the hearing on Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage corruption cases against Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia to January 12.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar of the Special Judge Court-3 passed the order at Bakshibazar’s makeshift court in the presence of Khaleda Zia in response to a time petition filed by her lawyer Sanaullah Mia, reports UNB.

Earlier on December 22, a court here deferred the hearing of Zia Charitable Trust graft case against BNP chief Khaleda Zia and fixed January 5 (today) for presentation of self defence.

On August 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abuse of power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.

Besides, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21. 0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.